LA Galaxy sign veteran defender James Riley

CARSON, Calif. (Tuesday, March 4, 2014) – The LA Galaxy announced today that the club has signed 31-year-old defender James Riley. The veteran defender has made six appearances for the club this preseason. Per club and league policy, terms of the contract were not disclosed.

A native of Colorado Springs, Colo., Riley is heading into his 10th full season in MLS. During his career, the 31-year-old defender has made a total of 231 league appearances, logging 19,161 minutes with two goals and 17 assists. The five-time Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup champion, who spent last season with D.C. United, has also logged over 2,000 minutes in the league every year since 2007.

“We are pleased to add James Riley to our roster,” said LA Galaxy Head Coach and General Manager Bruce Arena. “James is an experienced player who adds versatility and depth to our defensive core.”

Drafted by the New England Revolution with the 21st overall pick in the 2005 MLS SuperDraft, Riley spent his first three seasons with the Revs, helping the club reach three consecutive MLS Cup finals and winning the 2007 U.S. Open Cup. While with the Revolution, Riley made 70 league appearances, scoring one goal and recording three assists. The defender spent the 2008 season with the San Jose Earthquakes after being chosen in the 2007 MLS Expansion Draft, starting 23 of 24 matches that year. Seattle Sounders FC selected Riley in the ensuing 2009 MLS Expansion Draft.

Riley served as a fixture for Seattle for three years, helping the team reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in all three seasons, while making 79 league appearances and also tallying one goal and nine assists. The defender also helped the Sounders win three straight Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup finals. Riley was selected by the Montreal Impact in the 2011 MLS Expansion Draft and subsequently traded to Chivas USA where he spent the 2012 season. As a member of the Rojiblancos, Riley started in all 32 matches for the club.

Following his stint with Chivas USA, Riley was traded to D.C. United for the 2013 season. In one season with United, Riley made 21 appearances and 19 starts as he helped DCU win their third and his fifth U.S. Open Cup title.

Season tickets for the 2014 MLS season are on sale now, starting at just $250. Becoming a Galaxy Season Ticket Member gives fans the opportunity to see every Galaxy home game as well as number of additional benefits such as access to Town Hall meetings with Galaxy leaders, discounts on additional single game tickets, entrance into the club’s new Season Ticket Member loyalty program and much more as well as discounts at all TEAM LA locations and on select camps at the Galaxy Soccer Center in Torrance. For more information about becoming a Galaxy Season Ticket Member, please call 877-3GALAXY (342-5299) or visit www.lagalaxy.com/tickets